V. S. Holmes | News

smart but heartfelt, full of profound ideas

2/22/2022

Focusing on the humanity of worlds--whether fantastical, futuristic, or our own, is something that's always been very important to me. I'm so grateful that The Reviewer understands how important it is to remember the roots of SFF!

"V. S. Holmes's storytelling is what good science fiction should be: smart but heartfelt, full of profound ideas delivered with a sense of humanity. Travelers is engaging precisely because it is about something all of us have experienced: That moment when you grow up enough to realize that the universe is more wondrous―and dangerous than you could ever have imagined. Lovers of character-focused sci-fi will find plenty to enjoy in this gripping alternate science fiction adventure book."

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"Deep, solid, gripping, heart warming, heart-breaking"

2/17/2022

I am so, so honored when I get reviews like this one from Scribble's Worth. Writing Nel's journey always has its ups and downs, and I worry sometimes whether her temperamental, hard-headed personality will strike its mark. Huge thank you to the reviewers at Scribble's Worth and to Creative Edge for connecting us!

"A razor-sharp story where our MC runs, barefoot on top of the blade. Excellently told, as we can feel every emotion, every droplet of panic on the dangerous scenes in the book!

This book is AWESOME! One of those you can’t turn your eyes away from. *Claps*. Mysterious characters that we know already but somehow are completely new, love stories, heartbreak, exes, chase, bullets, wounds and infection, rotten meat, the FBI and… sexy aliens. HA! Original in so many ways. Deep, solid, gripping, heart warming, heart-breaking and with "steamy doses of lesbian sex. Oh, and curses. Lots of curses. What is there not to love?!"

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Journey to the Future

1/30/2022

I know you love reading fantasy and science fiction as much as me. Well, look no further! You can grab your next favorite read below with this fun Journey to the Future Collection, featuring SFF titles where the main character transforms or drastically changes. Plus, you can WIN 50 Amazon Fantasy Bestsellers!
Ends Feb. 15th!

LIVE at the Writer's Corner

1/29/2022

Missed my live chat with the lovely Bridgetti of the Writer's Corner LIVE show? You can catch the recording here! We spoke about my Publisher's Weekly review, why the next Nel book is my favorite, and what it was like to write a "pandemic book." Plus, you'll hear an excerpt of Heretics!

Tales of the 2SLGBTQ+

1/26/2022

It's finally here! I spoke with Douglas of the Tales of the 2SLGBTQ+ podcast about archaeology, writing Nel's world, and how TRAVELERS ended up on the Moon. You can tune into the awesome chat via YouTube (below) or via your favorite podcast streaming service.

Moving Day Sale!

1/24/2022

Exciting news: we're moving! We're finally expanding to something a bit bigger than our tiny studio apartment and are so, so looking forward to getting to know a new community in southern MA.

To that end, I have several signed paperbacks that I'd love to send out, rather than pack up and move with all my copious amounts of other books.

You can get 15% off any of my signed paperbacks via the Amphibian Press store through the first week in February!

Code: MOVINGDAY

My Favorite Tropes on the Midweek Drive

1/22/2022

It's always a blast stopping by UK's Midweek Drive, and today was no different. Had so much fun discussing Heretics, archaeology, and my favorite (and least favorite!) sci-fi tropes. You can tune in at the link below!

Listen Now!

A Witchy, Star-Soaked Treat!

1/16/2022

A Dark and Starless Forest by Sarah Hollowell was a dark, delicious treat for my winter reading! This witchy, star-soaked YA dark fantasy is set in the isolated fields beside an alpine lake. Derry and her several siblings-by-circumstance learn to hone their unique and varied magical gifts from the stern yet fatherly--and unmagical--Frank. Despite the sun on the lake surface and the wind in the trees, something dark encroaches on the idyllic setting as, one-by-one, Derry's siblings go missing.

I was captivated by the cover of this book when it first crossed my Twitter timeline early in 2021--Derry's full, powerful arms covered in the vines of her budding magic were so beautiful, and the image of this young witch willing to do anything to protect her family did not lead me astray. Hollowell's writing is vivid without being florid. Derry's voice is sure and determined, complete with the anxieties and excitement that come with young adulthood and realizing you've outpaced your teachers. While the world Hollowell weaves is a dark one, it is also achingly familiar, reminding us of the press of the unknown when we've begun to expand beyond the borders of our childhood. I'm excited to see what comes next from Sarah Hollowell.

For fans of woody, witchy friendship and unassuming, badass protagonists!

HERETICS on the Evening News!

1/16/2022

I stopped by Stingray TV last week to chat with Jasmine on their evening news! We talked about what it felt like to read the incredible Publishers Weekly review of HERETICS, creating empathy through characters' struggles, and where you can catch the latest Nel-news!

A huge thanks to Stingray TV for this opportunity, Jasmine for her insightful questions, and to Creative Edge for connecting us!

New Worlds, Old Friends

1/14/2022

Returning to Sci-Fi Saturday Night is always an absolute pleasure, even more so after the long, incredibly difficult past few years. Sharing the initial inspiration behind Nel's character, and how she's evolved since, with such big fans was delightful! It's been an honor to have such wonderful friends and fans throughout this journey--all the way from a dingy motel parking lot for our first interview!

Thanks to the awesome SFSN team and, of course, to Creative Edge for setting this up.

Listen Now!